Tanzania is among six African countries vigilant after the Ebola uprising in Guinea on 14 February and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a week earlier.
The confirmed cases were reported this time from southeastern Guinea about 800km by road from the capital, Conakry, but only about 100km from various border areas with Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.
Sierra Leone and Liberia near Guinea in West Africa and Tanzania which are neighbors to the DRC are some of the countries that the WHO has warned of the Ebola revolution.
The natural transmission cycle of the virus includes some species of fruit bats that live in a forest.
Animals with Ebola disease such as nonhuman primates, monkeys and antelope have been previously reported and may be a source of humans.
“We have already issued a warning to the six surrounding countries, including Sierra Leone and Liberia of course, and they are moving very quickly to prepare and be ready and watch for any possible disease, ”said Margaret Harris of WHO from Geneva.
What sets this revolution apart is that it takes place against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has health care and other facilities around the world under pressure. large.
WHO has deployed more than 100 workers to deal with new Ebola incidents in Guinea and the DRC.
“With experts and emergency supplies already in place, the response is off to a strong start,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
Ebola affects humans through close contact with infected animals such as chimpanzees and fruit bats. It is then transmitted between humans by direct contact with infectious blood, fluids, and organs.
This is the first Ebola outbreak in Guinea since 2016 when more than 11,000 people died in West African Ebola disease, which began in Guinea.
“Joint, swift action is essential to prevent the unregulated spread of Ebola amid the Covid-19 pandemic that has already pushed health workers and health facilities to the brink,” said Dr Moeti,
WHO has already prescribed more than 11,000 doses of Ebola vaccine in Guinea.